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It’s nearly impossible–no it IS impossible–to accurately predict what every team in the draft is going to do when Roger Goodell takes the podium (BOOO!!!) on Thursday night. But that can’t stop us from hoping certain things are going to happen before John Idzik hands in his first card as General Manager of the New York Jets, right? As we know, the Jets hold the 9th and 13th picks in this year’s first round, and if things break right, the 2013 draft could go a long way towards turning this team around. Let’s break down the things we WANT to see happen before the Jets are on the clock, so that the team is left with the best possible options.

1. Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT – This pick is almost set in stone, as the Chiefs are looking to add a franchise Left Tackle as they prepare to move on from Brandon Albert. The other option here would be Eric Fisher. The Jets are not in the market for a Left Tackle, so this is good news.

2. Jaguars: Eric Fisher, OT – As I was saying, the Jets aren’t in the market for a tackle, so any that go in the top 8 are beneficial for their chances of landing a player they need more. What we don’t want here is for the Jaguars to take Dion Jordan, but unfortunately there’s a pretty good chance that is what is going to happen. Keep your fingers crossed Jordan slips as the Jags opt for the “safe” offensive tackle.

3. Raiders: Shariff Floyd, DT – This is another pick that seems to be a lock, as the Raiders are supposedly very high on Floyd. This would bode well for the Jets, as Floyd is more of a 4-3 DT and is a bit undersized to play the nose tackle position that Rex Ryan would be looking for. So far, so good.

4. Eagles: Geno Smith, QB – Some may disagree with me here, but I’m not particularly high on Geno Smith and wouldn’t want the Jets to take him at #9. Therefore, I’m hoping the rumors that Chip Kelly is looking long and hard at the QB are true and they snatch him up here at #4 as better options for the Jets slip down the board. Plus, I don’t want him on the board for the Bills, as I have a much more hilarious (and realistic) QB option for them at #8.

5. Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, DE – The Lions lost both their starting Defensive Ends this offseason and are reportedly very high on the raw lineman out of BYU. Dion Jordan could also be an option here if he sticks around (which would be bad), and the other possibility would be going offensive line with this pick and taking the best available tackle, Lane Johnson (which would be good). It’s looking increasingly likely that Johnson will be off the board by the time the Jets pick, which again is a good thing, since the Jets have D’Brickashaw Ferguson manning that spot.

6. Browns: Dee Milliner, CB – Hey did you hear the Jets just lost a cornerback? Darryl something-or-other. I heard he was pretty good. Anyway, that doesn’t mean the Jets need to automatically go out and draft a corner in the first round. In fact, with the excellent Antonio Cromartie and so-so Kyle WIlson (who I don’t like, but still) on the roster already, there are much more pressing needs. Seriously, take a look at the roster. The top rated corner going off the board here at #6 would be good news for the Jets. Not so good news would be if the Browns went with a pass rusher like Jordan, Ansah, or dare I say, Mingo here. That would stink.

7. Cardinals: Lane Johnson, OT – If the Lions don’t go for Johnson at #5, he very well could go off the board here at #7 to Arizona. The Cardinals offensive line is an absolute mess and that could cause them to reach for a tackle, or maybe go with one of the two stud guards, Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper, although this would be awfully early for that. Other options would be a defensive tackle like Star Lotulelei, or a pass rusher such as Ansah or Jordan if they’re still on the board. A long-shot would be one of the QB’s such as Barkley or Nassib, but that would be quite a reach and with the recent trade for Carson Palmer, an unlikely one. The only reason I’d like to see Lane Johnson hang around for the Jets is so that a tackle-needy team such as San Diego could offer a ton to move up for him when the Jets are on the clock.

8. Bills: Ryan Nassib, QB – This would make me extremely happy as a Jets fan for a variety of reasons. First, Ryan Nassib isn’t that good and it will make me genuinely laugh when it’s announced. Second, it would be a major reach. Third, it would set the Bills back further than they already are for a few years. Fourth, Buddy Nix. Fifth, it would be hilarious to see the NY media with heavy ties to Syracuse make excuses for the Bills and their new HC/QB combo. Sixth, it would drop another prospect down for the Jets to potentially select. Seventh, it would be cause for a round of shots at the bar (drink responsibly, everyone!). I’m sure I can come up with a few more, but I’ll stop there. Let’s hope this is the pick and that they don’t go with Tavon Austin.

9. JETS: Ok, that would leave the Jets with a variety of options if the Perfect World Draft broke down like this. Here they are:

Draft Dion Jordan orBarkevious Mingo, OLB – These two guys are at the top of my wish list, and while Jordan is likely to be snatched up earlier (at #2, #4, or #6 most likely), its not unrealistic to think he COULD slip. Mingo is most likely going to be around at #9 and if he is, it should take Idzik about 0.3 seconds to turn in his card. This would raise the Jets defensive rating quite a few Tebows!

Draft Tavon Austin, WR – The Jets clearly need playmakers on offense and Austin is the top playmaker in this draft. He’s a home run hitter who can score from anywhere on the field, and that will make things much easier for whoever the hell is playing QB this year. I’d prefer to address the pass rush first and hope for Austin at #13, however, but that may not be possible.

Draft Warmack or Cooper, OG – I wouldn’t love taking a Guard this high, but it’s certainly a possibility considering the starting guards as of now are Willie Colon and Vlad Freakin’ Ducasse. I imagine Idzik would rather wait until later in the draft to take a lineman, or if the team is dead set on one of these two studs, wait til #13.

Trade Down – A trade down is always a possibility, and there are a few players other teams may deem worth of moving up for, such as Austin, one of the pass rushes, or Star Lotulelei.

10. Titans: Jonathan Cooper, OG – The Titans are reportedly extremely high on Cooper, and he could surpass Warmack as the top Guard taken. As long as one of these guys is around at #13 as an option for the Jets, we are ok with this.

11. Chargers: DJ Fluker, OT – This would be a major reach, but with the tackles flying off the board, the Chargers may be forced to make this their pick. They are desperate for offensive line help as to avoid making Phil Rivers the first on field casualty in 2013. Seriously, their line is atrocious. I don’t think Fluker is worth this high of a pick, but he’s starting to generate some buzz heading into the draft. Other options here could be Tavon Austin or one of the pass rushers, which wouldn’t be quite as good for the Jets just two picks away.

12. Dolphins: Xavier Rhodes, CB – The Dolphins badly need some cornerback help, and many have Rhodes as the top CB in this draft after Milliner. They filled a bunch of holes through free agency, but corner is still a problem area, so look for the Fins to address that here. Again, I don’t think the Jets are going to be looking at a corner in the first round, so this would be a fine selection. A pass rusher is also a possibility, perhaps someone like Tank Carradine, which is a rumor that has very recently started to heat up. I’m fine with that.

13. JETS: That brings us back to the Jets and their second 1st-round pick here at #13, and there would be many options available to them.

Draft Tavon Austin, WR – If the Jets don’t take him at #9 and he slips through the next three picks, taking him here at #13 would make a ton of sense.

Draft Tyler Eifert, TE – Taking Eifert at #13 may seem like a bit of a reach, but the Jets badly need a Tight End who can make plays and stretch the field. Eifert is a huge man, he’s fast and athletic, and he can do both of those things for a team in the NFL. Ideally the Jets will be able to move down a little in the first round before taking Eifert, but I wouldn’t hate this pick at all.

Trade Down – I think this is what John Idzik wants to do the most, and will explore any and all possibilities to do so. There could be many desirable players available in this spot for teams to move up for including Austin, Start Lotulelei, or Sheldon Richardson.

Draft Warmack or Cooper, OG – Hopefully one of these guys is still around at #13, either as an option for the Jets to pick, or maybe as a target of a team looking to trade up.

Draft Star Lotulelei, DT – I don’t think DL is a priority for the Jets in this draft, but we know Rex likes his big guys up front, and with Sione Po’uha gone, this could be a possibility.

So there you have it. The 2013 Jets Perfect World Draft and how all Jets fans should be rooting for things to play out once Roger Goodell takes the podium and gets booed mercilessly. Enjoy the draft, everyone. And be sure to let us know who you want to see the team end up with here in the comments or on Twitter.

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Author: Mike Donnelly

Mike Donnelly is a Staff Writer and life-long Jets fan, who was previously a featured columnist at multiple other New York Jets and fantasy football websites. He lives and works in finance in the NYC area and will help lead our Jets and NFL coverage in 2013.
View all posts by Mike Donnelly

Everyone has the right to their opinion, I pray they don’t get either Mingo or Austin that high. These 2, simply have too much ‘beta’ for me at these spots. In fact, I’d rather miss on these guys becoming All-Pros, than drafting either and having them become anything from solid to busts.

On Mingo, how many guys his size have we seen struggle at this level. At, 230-40, he simply can’t stay on the field for 3 downs and I’m sorry, I think this team needs its 1st rounder to play 65+% of snaps.

On Austin, I think it’s similar his size will limit him. Joe can talk all he wants about Stephen Hill getting hurt, but look at the top yardage WR this year: Ok, Wes Welker is in there, but everyone else on that list is HUGE. Betting on outliars is far too aggressive for this team. Austin, is a ‘finishing piece, not a ‘building block’.

Mike Donnelly

If Austin can be a Harvin-like player he’s absolutely worth being picked that high imo.

jdon

Mingo is no sure bet. Get a proven producer or trade down.

Scott

Really don’t think Geno is going at #4 but crazier things have happened.

Lidman

“If Austin can be a Harvin-like player he’s absolutely worth being picked that high imo.”

Ok, I’m fine with that, but Percy went at 22, not 9, or 13. He hasn’t been that durable either-and he’s bigger than Tavon.

In ’08, Donnie Avery was Tavon Austin, but bigger (look it up, he went early in Rd 2 and hasn’t been able cross over that college playmaking ability to the pros..oh, and he’s not durable.

In ’11 Titus Young was the Tavon Austin of that draft, now his attitude probably had a lot to do with his performance, but he played 16 games in ’11 and didn’t really impress. He was the 44th pick.

Last year, Kendall Wright was the rage, picked 20 and was decent. But, go look at TY Hilton’s draft write up..pretty similar to Austin-he was the 92nd pick.

Look, I get it, you all love the guy and are staking your flag to him. History is on my side. I’m not even saying he won’t be a good player, but there is a reason there aren’t many difference making WR his size. Could he be the exception, sure? If you’re John Idzik, are you really making that bet with ‘your’ first draft? Easy for you to say it, you don’t have that job.

Lidman

…and yes, I get that teams like SF and NE are in the ‘chatter’ trying to move up for Austin..but, as I said, he’s a ‘finishing piece’, not a ‘building block’.

KAsh

The description of Austin as a home run hitter just kills me. He probably could not whiff the ball past second base. To elaborate on this baseball analogy, Austin would be a consistent bunter: a guy who uses surprise and speed to get the team in an advantageous position. But he is not a swing for the fences type of player.

Austin will never be the number one option. If he becomes the most dangerous weapon on the field, he will be targeted more and more, and that will be dangerous for him. Anyone can get hurt. But Austin will always have to play through the pain. He already gets bumped off his route and has fumbles forced. How long until he starts bracing himself for impact before securing the ball? How does he prevent the ball from slipping when he gets mauled by a guy twice his size?

It is hyperbole to say that he can score on any play. There will be a man on him, a taller, heavier man that is good at wrapping people up on him. He will have to fight to gain yards. Any receiver worth his salt looks great in open space. Can he get separation? Can he beat corners and safeties for the ball? That will decide his career. Honestly, he is a good player, but I would not be surprised if someone like Denard Robinson has a greater legacy.

KAsh

Also, there can be an even better scenario.

At #2, the Jags take Smith as a replacement for Gabbert. This triggers a run on QBs, as teams who would have drafted them at the end of the first/top of the 2nd decide to grab them while they can. The Eagles snag EJ Manuel. The Bills go for Nassib. Maybe even the Browns decide to divorce themselves from Wheeden.

The two OTs are swallowed up by KC, Detroit, and maybe someone who trades up with Oakland. That leaves the Browns and the Cardinals. The Cards’ fans and writers report that the team likes their tackles. But that does not mean the O-line is not a problem, so they pick Warmack. The Browns go with Milliner.

That leaves Ansah, Jordan, Mingo, Cooper, Austin, Floyd, Lotulelei for the ninth pick. At this point Rex has a heart attack as his eyes go in opposite directions. He can not only pick the best from this group at #9, he can pick again from the three left over at #13. At this point, he wakes up and socks whoever woke him in the face.

JerryB

This is a great draft for OG, OT and DT. We aren’t going to fill all our needs in one draft. Lets pick the beef and not the sizzle. I would be very happy with Lotulelei and Warmack or Cooper.

Mike

If we stay at 9 and 13 I would love to come away with Jarvis Jones and J Cooper…would not be dissappointed w/ T Eifert.

Jones was seen as #1 pick at one point…based on production and watching him in SEC would love to get him.

blastingzone

Whats wrong with some of you? Austin is the most dynamic explosive player in the draft!
He can play RB too and he can catch a lot of
footballs out of the back field(like screens,
remember screens? and dump off passes like when Sanchez is running for his life!)
Go to youtube and watch the Oaklahoma game last year and watch him gain over 300 yrds
on the ground running with the football(and 82 yrds in the air)I will change the HR to
he can score from anywhere on the field, he
is a game changer and the big body the other
teams put on him will have to catch him first! The WCO is all about the yards after
the catch and that is what Austin is all about! DC’s will lay awake at night trying to figure out how to stop him if they can? So some of you don’t think he’s worth a 9th or 13th pick well I got news for you, Some smart team is going to pick him between the 9th and the 20th pick and all the teams that
didn’t pick him will regret it(imagine if NE,Bills, or Miami take him) for the next ten years!!

KAsh

Ten years? Sorry. I know laughter is not an argument but HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHSHAHSHAH LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!

That is the other problem with small receivers: they do not last. The last guy Austin’s size lasted six years. The NFL has professional players. They and the DCs get paid seven figures to stop the offense any way they can. Please respect them. Unless Austin wears red spandex and has a lightning bolt drawn on his chest, he is going to be stopped. If you seriously think anyone human can take the ball and cleanly make it to the endzone each time, we have been watching different games.

There is only one ball. Once Austin gets it, all 11 guys will be gunning for him. He cannot reduce this number because he cannot go deep; it is too easy to cover him deep or vertically. Most guys in the league can stop a player of his weight with an arm tackle. Austin already has had trouble holding onto the ball against poor college competition. People at this level will simply rip the ball out of his skinny arms.

blastingzone

Kash, I didn’t say he wasn’t going to get tackled what I said was the guy that is his shadow on the defense is going to have a hard time keeping up with him and for the most part Austin will gain yards before the defense gets to him and he will score some TD’s with his breakaway speed wether he’s at RB or WR! Yes he’s small but with his speed and cutting ability which is God given he will be a force in the NFL wether you think so or not!! You are right on one point he
may not last for ten years but for as long as
he last he’s going to reck havoc in the NFL!!
Don’t forget Goodson also has breakaway speed
as does Hill and you can’t cover them all!!!!
Goodson is over 200ilbs and just needs a chance to play!!

KAsh

Austin is not even 180 lbs. He runs a fast 40. That has convinced you that his tape shows an uncatchable player. But his 10-yard split is 1.50s. That is fast, but let’s put it in perspective.

Many of the CBs in this draft (not an exceptional group this year, from what I can tell) ran the same 10-yard split as Austin. They all average twenty pounds heavier than him.

The safeties weigh a little more than the CBs (about 10-20 pounds more,) but their times are either the same or a few hundredths of a second slower.

Among the OLB, who start at sixty pounds heavier than Austin, the fastest 10-yard split was Zaviar Gooden’s 1.52s. That is one fiftieth of a second slower, a difference that is more than made up by their longer arms. I would say the elite OLBs averaged about 1.55s to 1.57s as a group.

Austin is not even all that faster than some of the DEs out there. Ansah had a 1.62 10-yard split, which I think is about the average for this year’s fastest DEs. Your eyes only take an image once every one tenth of a second, which is the difference between the 174-pound Austin and the 270-pound Ansah.

Please stop with the belief that Austin is magical. He was fast when matched up with inferior athletes. Almost everyone except the DTs – and maybe some DTs, too – in the incoming group of defensive playmakers can catch up to Austin if he is within five yards of him. Austin is a playmaker in space, but he lacks the physical tools to create the space he needs. He is going to depend on breakdowns in coverage or zone coverage that lets him exploit a hole, but that is a characteristic of bad defenses. He may very well be silent against good defenses or against press coverage at the next level.

Austin was already limited in college in the plays he could run. He specialized in short pass catches in which he got away from his man at the start of the play. Remember: the WVU offense turned quiet once they played better, more defensively-minded teams. Where was Austin against Texas Tech, Kansas State, or Syracuse?

blastingzone

Good morning Kash, I guess we will have to wait and see how Austin does in the NFL? I
doubt the jets will pick him anyway? Ryan wants an OLB who can rush the passer so Jordan, Mingo, or Jones is most likely your
first pick? I got this gut feeling they will trade down and get extra picks? Here is an
Idea, trade one of our first rd picks #13 to
a team for there first rd pick in 2014 and if
it turns out not to be a top five pick trade
both picks for a top five pick and get your QB of the future in 2014? If they stay in 2013 what do you think of Petterson? He has
size 6′ 2″ and is over 200ibs and has simular
speed as Austin? Even though you have made a
good case on Austin I still like him because he’s got heart and all his life everybody’s
been telling him he’s to small so he has made it his mission in life to prove them wrong and so far so good! Iwill take heart and determination anytime over stats!!

Mark Phelan

I’m with JerryB.

We need improvement in so many positions. Don’t risk on sizzle.

Mark Phelan

I’m with JerryB.

We need improvement in so many positions. Don’t risk on sizzle.

Lidman

Blastingzone,

Austin can play RB? How many succesful 175lb RBs can you name? Yes, he might be able to line up in the backfield, but there is NO way, any team would consider giving a guy like that regular carries.

Take a look at Markus Wheaton’s numbers, then look at his measurables and tell me why you wouldn’t take him over Austin?

Here are some ‘Austin-like’ players over the past 5yrs: Harvin, Donnie Avery, Titus Young, Dexter McCluster and TY Hilton. All these guys were tremendous ‘open space guys’ in college. Only Percy was a round 1 pick and while the Hilton looked good last year, he was a 3rd rounder. Sorry, I keep saying it: ‘Tavon is a nice finishing piece, he’s not a building block’. Go look at the WR stats from last year, Wes Welker is the exception, everyone else is a monster.